MICHIGAN HAD A SPATE OF AIRSHIP ENCOUNTERS IN APRIL, 1897

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Battle Creek, Michigan

The Daily Journal

April 14, 1897

"THAT AIRSHIP!"

"It Blew Up and Went to Pieces
Before It was Seen in Battle Creek"

Galesburg, April 13 — George W. Somers and William Chadburn of Pavilion Township claim the alleged airship went to pieces in that vicinity Sunday night. They heard a dull explosion and the lights on the supposed airship went out. The next morning, it is said that part of the propeller and some wire were found which proved that the thing had burst.

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Saginaw, Michigan

The Courier-Herald

April 14, 1897

MYSTERIOUS AIRSHIP

"20 Reputable Battle Creek Residents
Claim to Have Seen it"

Niles, April 13--- About a dozen people saw what they believe was the airship last night. It came from a southwesterly direction and was going about 40 miles an hour in a northwesterly direction. It seemed then to be about half a mile high. It looked like an immense ball of fire. Although the night was clear, the ship’s outlines were not visible. Editor A. J. Shakespeare, of the Gazette, is among those who saw it.

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Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Gazette

April 14, 1897

"AIRSHIP OR NO?"

The strange body that passed over the city Monday evening and that was taken by many for an airship was seen by the proprietor of the Gazette, as well as many other citizens. It came from the southeast and passed to the northwest, nearly over the center of the city at a rate of speed that must have been forty too sixty miles an hour. When about two miles northwest of the city the object seemed to change its course from northwest to due north. All that could be distinguished was a reddish-green light of great brilliancy that threw out rays on all sides and was six times as large as any star in the heavens. Airship, or whatever it may be, there is some strange skylarking about the heavens that has been seen by thousands and thousands of people in different portions of the country. What it is, astronomers ought to be getting on to it by this time. The object was first heard of several weeks ago in western Nebraska, then at different points in Kansas, then in Iowa, and Illinois, and now in Michigan. Sunday evening an object of the same description passed over South Bend and Niles.
The object, when it passed over Kalamazoo appeared to be about half a mile high. It is more likely that it was fifty and perhaps three times that many miles from the earth and is some wandering body not down on the chart. One thing is certain, it goes through space like a rocket.

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Lansing, Michigan

The State Republican

April 14, 1897

The airship was plainly seen by several reliable citizens of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph—so they allege—and declare that it is no fake. It was seen about 8:00 Tuesday night, with blue, red, and green lights, and was moving rapidly in a northwesterly direction. The outlines could not be discerned, owing to the lights it bore and its great altitude over Lake Michigan.

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Adrian, Michigan

The Daily Palladium

April 14, 1897

At last that airship has been seen. Wm. Peckman, the East Maumee, clothier, states he saw it last night, displaying three colored lights and moving in a southeasterly direction. William was not looking through a smoked glass either.

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Benton Harbor, Michigan

The Daily Palladium

April 15, 1897

"STILL SEEING THE AIR-SHIP"

Some of our citizens imagined that they saw the airship again Wednesday night. It appeared in the sky off west of the city and for an hour, so those who claim to have seen it say. It sailed southward until the lights disappeared.
Dr. Scott, of St. Joseph, was among those who are willing to take oath they saw it.
Yesterday a report came from Galesburg, Mich., to the effect that the vessel exploded over Pavilion Township and that portions of the electric appliances and a point of the propeller blade were found, besides other small pieces of the “ship”. In Chicago, a policeman came the nearest to
solving the airship mystery than any of them. He found a large tissue paper balloon made of red, white, and blue paper
with the lower portion burned. Dr. Geo. Ball saw the airship last night and called the attention of John A. Crawford
to it as they were walking down from supper. Of course, the Doctor does not think the light which he saw, came from an
airship but he says it was a strange light and he is going to climb the roof of the highest building in town tonight and
watch for the strange visitor with a glass. The light which they saw, was in the southwest and was visible form about ten
minutes and then faded from view. Miss Quackenbush, cashier at Morrow & Stones Annex, was among those who saw the ship
last night and even thinks she saw the outlines of it.
(Wednesday was April 14, 1897)

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Battle Creek, Michigan

The Daily Journal

April 15, 1897

Brevities—Again last evening at about 8 o’clock the airship,
or what has been called such was visible to Battle Creek residents many of whom saw the aerial wonder as it traveled
rapidly westward in plain sight, and a few moments passed from view on its hurried course. Those who saw it last evening
do not describe it as vividly as those who witnessed the novelty on Monday evening. They say it looked very much like a
star or an electric arc light seen at a distance, only that the color changed from that of a star to a reddish cast.
The most general explanation made of the object is that it is some kind of a meteor or shooting star, but unlike them in
the changing of color, and the direction of its course, meteors having almost invariably a downward course. !!
That the mysterious object of last evening was not of human origin is plainly evidenced by the speed at which it was
moving, and that too being against the wind.

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Bay City, Michigan

The Times-Press

April 15, 1897

"AIRSHIP IS NO MORE"

"The Aerial Mystery Said to Have Exploded in Michigan"

Kalamazoo, April 15--- People of Pavilion have made some startling reports, and, if true, then the much talked of airship
was not only a reality but is now a thing of the past. George W. Somers and William Chadburn, old soldiers, claim to have
seen the ship on Monday evening, when they remained up until a late hour in attendance upon a sick horse. The descriptions
given by them are somewhat at variance but both agree in the assertion that the apparition was illuminated at both ends
and moved through space with wonderful rapidity. They had scarcely time for their observation when a dull explosion was
heard and the object disappeared. They declare the report to have been like that of heave ordnance and to have been
immediately succeeded by a distant sound of projectiles flying through the air. Wondering greatly, they proceeded to the
house, where they passed an excited and sleepless night.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace say they heard the explosion distinctly, but thought it was thunder. But the discoveries of the
morning are sufficient to establish the veracity of the two actual observers. In one place, two miles from Scotts, there
was found, a large coil of heavy wire, evidently a part of some electrical appliance. At another point a propeller blade
of some very light material was discovered in a partially fused condition. Three men engaged in shingling a barn in
Comstock Township affirm that, upon resuming work in the morning following the occurrence, they found their completed work
covered with minute fragments which had in some instances penetrated the shingles and entered the boards beneath.
(Monday was April 12, 1897)

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Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Gazette

April 15, 1897

"AIR NAVIGATION"

"Strange Moving Lights in the Heavens"

"A TOY BALLOON"

"Said to Have Been One of the Objects Which Created Much Comment"

"Reputed Air Ship Seen at Kendalville,
Indiana And Sturgis"

These must be interesting times for astronomers, as not a night passes that some new moving object
does not make its appearance in the heavens. Even right here in Kalamazoo last night there were two airships, comets,
balloons, or some other light carrying object, bobbing around in the heavens. The GAZETTE telescope man is away on a
vacation, or this story would state which one of the aerial floaters was the toy balloon sent up by the EVENING NEWS
editors as their newly discovered airship. Between 8 and 9 o’clock it is reported that this mysterious ship was sent
floating heavenward from the bluff on the west side of the city. It went north and a little west and nearly disappeared
from sight and then seemed to return and appeared much larger. As it turned around it displayed different colors.
Hundreds of people saw it and wondered what it was. Those who knew it was a toy balloon were silent listeners to the
remarks of the sky gazers. It was expected that the same object which was seen Monday evening at about 8 o’clock would
appear again last night. It probably did, but not until about 11 o’clock when it was noticed in the southwest and seemed
to be moving in a wavering route nearly westward. The GAZETTE men saw it and watched it for half an hour. A number of Odd
Fellows who were at Burr Oak hall also saw it and watched it disappear in the west at 11:45 o’clock. It bobbed about but
kept the same general course. This may have been the toy balloon, but dispatches from Kendalville, Ind., and Sturgis,
Mich., state that the same object was seen there between 9 and 10 o’clock moving in a northwesterly direction.
Its color varied and would entirely disappear for a brief period of time and then appear brighter than ever in a slightly
different place.

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Detroit, Michigan

The Evening News

April 15, 1897

"AIRSHIP AGAIN"

"Broken Wheel Dug Up Near Battle Creek
Battle Creek"

April 15--- A well to do farmer who resides five miles northeast of this city claims to have found the
wheel of the alleged airship that passed over lower Michigan Tuesday night. George Parks, of Pennfield, and his wife were
crossing a field, when their attention was drawn to a very bright object that appeared to be about 100 feet from the earth
and swiftly approaching. Mr. Parks thought from its light and the humming sound it made that it was a meteor. As it
passed over them, a little to their left, a part of it fell to earth and buried itself in the ground.
Mrs. Parks, who was somewhat frightened, would not let her husband go near where it fell. The next morning Mr. Parks and
his brother, Benjamin, dug it up and found it to be a large wheel made of aluminum, about three feet in diameter, and a
turbine in shape. Mr. Parks says it is the first time he ever heard of a meteor having wheels. He will keep the wheel as
a memento, and it may be seen at any time at his farm in Pennfield.
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Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Evening Press

April 15, 1897

"An artist at Holland also secured a picture of the airship -
One department of art appears to be looking up"

Benton Harbor, Michigan

The Evening News
Watervliet--- A couple of our truth-telling citizens claim
that they saw the much talked about airship during the first of the week and it was moving rapidly northwest.
St. Joseph--- John Wallace and Dr. Scott are telling their friends about the airship today. They saw it last night as it
swiftly took its flight across the heaven directly over the city and veered away to the northward until it was lost to
view over Lake Michigan.

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New York,NY

The New York Times

April 15, 1897

Editorial — That airship which all the Western papers and some of the Eastern
ones are now giving the benefit of several doubts, is visible nightly to correspondents in all parts of Illinois,
Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa. The aerial voyager is evidently a Mahatma of high development, for he exists in a
dozen places at once and has a different appearance and does different things in each one of them. It is lamentable to
observe, however, that everywhere he violates the United States navigation laws in relation to lights.
Usually the captain of this new craft shows only one light. It is most often white, and occasionally red. If this were the
worst of his offenses, it might be endured, but the ignorance he displays in the matter of side lights is simply criminal
and will get him into serious trouble the moment a United States officer succeeds in bringing him to.
While sailing over the town of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Sunday night, the sky traveler shocked and angered all the nautical
men there by showing a green light on both bows. At Waukegan, Illinois, at the same hour, both the sidelights were red,
which is equally illegal and outrageous. If the airship owner persists in this lawlessness, he will not only get
the reputation of being a pirate, but his vessel will run into itself, sooner or later, and suffer injuries so serious
that his next exhibition will have to be made in several pieces instead of several places.

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Battle Creek, Michigan

The Daily Journal

April 16, 1897

Brevities—Some wag sent up a paper balloon last night, which
floated over the city and attracted general attention. It had nothing the appearance of the aerial wonder that was seen
on previous evenings however.

"THAT AIRSHIP
CAUSES AS MUCH STIR AS IT TAKES TO MAKE A BATCH OF BREAD FROM GOLD MEDAL FLOUR"

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Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Gazette

April 16 1897

"SAW A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT"

Constantine, April 15--- No less than from
four to ten responsible citizens saw a mysterious light moving in a northwesterly direction here last night at 10:45.
It varied in height from 40 to 75 feet, so they claim.

Schoolcraft, April 16--- This village was visited last night by the airship. William G. Knight says it was going at the
rate of a mile a minute. Arch Finley, the Globe Trotter, says that he and William Lucas saw it at about the same time.
Horace Kinney and Zach Fletcher of Prairie Ronde, report that they saw the same thing but thought it was prosperity
looking for a place to light.

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Grand Haven, Michigan

The Daily Tribune

April 16, 1897

The other evening the wonderful air-ship which is creating so
much excitement in this section of the country was seen about 9:30 o’clock from the residence of D. A. Lane. The red and
green lights were very distinct. No telescope was needed to see them. This is no hoax and anyone doubting this statement
can find out the particulars of the matter by inquiring of D. A. Lane, A. L. Thomas, or Rev. Richardson, three prominent
spectators of the wonderful ship.

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Saginaw, Michigan

The Globe

April 16, 1897

"SAW THE AIRSHIP”

"Unsubstantiated Statement of Two Bay City Men"

Two residents of Bay City claim they saw the mysterious “airship” floating over that city at an early hour this morning.
They were about two miles from the city when the celestial visitor went sailing across the sky.
So far as known no one in Saginaw saw the ship and the Bay City men may have drawn largely upon their imagination.
Captain Baskins, of the west side police force, stated this morning that some of the officers doing duty on the west side
last night had reported seeing the airship, which fact he considered the best evidence of their good conduct.

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Lansing, Michigan

The State Republican

April 16, 1897

The mysterious airship was seen floating over Shelby, Olivet,
and Middleville, about 9 p.m. Thursday and caused considerable excitement among the large number of people who saw it.
But for its moving and changing lights, red, blue, green, it might have been taken for a star.
(Thursday was April 15, 1897)

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Detroit, Michigan

The Free Press

April 16, 1897

"BARNUM’S WHAT IS IT"

"MANY MORE MICHIGAN CITIZENS REPORT
HAVING SEEN
IT"

"Caused Excitement at Hart, Olivet, and Middleville"

Hart, Michigan, April 15--- At about 9 o’clock last night a large dark object was seen floating over Shelby which was
supposed to have been the much talked of airship. As described it was about like a large balloon with two lights, one
white and one green. It was witnessed by a large crowd.

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Olivet, Michigan

April 15--- The airship was observed in
this place last night about 11 o’clock by a large number of responsible persons including a number of students.
It appeared from the northeast and was headed in the direction of Albion. Only three red lights could be distinguished and
it was at too great a height to make out its outline. It was moving very rapidly and disappeared in a short time.
No explanation could be given at the college this morning. Middleville, Mich., April 15--- A sensation was caused in our
village last evening by what those who saw it called an airship. When first discovered, about 9 p.m., it was southwest of
town but it was moving northward and downward. But for its moving and changing lights, red, blue, green, it might have been
taken for a star. At about 10:30 p.m. another one rose east of the village and floated up and southwest. A car attachment
had colored lights and scattered sparks and what was supposed to be smoke.

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Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Evening Press

April 16, 1897

Reynolds, it is claimed, not only had the pleasure of
looking at the airship, but several people had the rare good fortune to become acquainted with the navigator.
The thing swooped down from the sky and a half a dozen farmers immediately surrounded it. While they were examining the
strange craft a creature nine and a half feet in height clambered over the side and grew eloquent in an unknown tongue.
One of the farmers hospitably extended his hand, but in the country the visitor comes from this seems to be considered an
affront. The big fellow swung one of his legs and the farmer retired in disorder with a broken hip. Then the unknown
sprang into his aerial craft, turned on some strange power and the whole thing darted away. There is no still in the
vicinity of Reynolds that is known to the revenue authorities and a sharp lookout is being kept for moonshiners.

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Origin Unknown

"The Airship Alighted Near Williamston Last Night"

Williamston, Michigan

April 17 – (Special) – This morning at a point a mile and a half south and west of this village, a
balloon or flying machine alighted. The air ship was seen about an hour before it alighted by a dozen farmers or more,
who had been watching it. On its attempt to light, they gathered around, but a good many of them did not remain long
after the landing of the ship. A strange man, if man he might be called, was in charge of the ship. While he seemed to
have plenty of clothes, he seemed to have no use for them, as he was almost naked, and seemed to be suffering from the
heat. He is about 91/2 feet tall and his talk, while musical, is not talk at all, but seems to be a repetition of
bellowing. One of the farmers who was somewhat braver, attempted to go near him, and got a kick that will last him for
some time, having got his hip broken. Great excitement prevails here, and lots of people are flocking here from Okemos
and Locke to view the strange being at a distance, as no one dares to go near. He seems to be trying to talk to the
people. The people here are incredulous and those who have not seen refuse to believe, although 6 of the best people are
here and affirm that it is the truth. From their excited manners, we are led to believe that no hoax exists.
At 8:10 last evening the air ship passed south and a little west of this village. Hundred of people watched its flight.

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Adrian, Michigan

The Evening Telegram

April 16, 1897

"HUDSON IS STRUCK - THE AIRSHIP SIGHTED THURSDAY NIGHT"

"ASTRONOMER
TRIPP CALLED OUT - BUT THE SHIP DISAPPEARED TOO QUICK FOR HIM"

Special to the TELEGRAM: Hudson, April 16--- Hudson never does anything by halves. Our people keep right in the swim.
Consequently, the air ship has struck this city. Last night about 11 o’clock a party of 25 people, responsible, and
worthy of belief, were on their way from a party to supper. Suddenly some of the party noticed a strange looking object
in the heavens somewhat toward the west. The knowledge of the discovery was imparted to the rest of the crowd and for
nearly an hour they watched the strange navigator in the sky. It was evidently the air ship, and appeared to be a cigar
shaped object, carrying yellow lights in the bow and the stern. The airship seemed to have some sort of mechanical
arrangement at the side to propel it, although it did not appear to be wings. At the stern the spectators seemed to
think they saw a steering apparatus. The air ship moved from the west in northerly direction and was an object of great
wonder. At one time it was so close it appeared to be only about 500 feet high and looked as if it were eight to ten feet
in length. But this is only conjecture, as it was impossible to judge of the height. The bright moonlight helped to make
the object very plain to view. The spectators were so much impressed with the sight that they aroused Prof. George Tripp,
the astronomer, who tried to get a view of the air ship, but before he got his telescope in shape, it had disappeared to
the north. They did not notify him soon enough. He is quoted, as saying it was not a star. The air ship is the talk of
the city today, and as the party had not indulged in anything stronger than mineral water, their story receives much
credence.

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Saginaw, Michigan

The Courier-Herald

April 16, 1897

"AIRSHIP A REALITY"

"Passed Over the Valley at an Early Hour This Morning"

"SEEN BOTH HERE AND IN
BAY CITY"

"Believed to Have Come Down Near Essexville
Of a Conical Shape and Having Red Lights"

Bay City, April 16--- At about 12:30 this morning while several residents of
Bay City were returning from a lodge meeting in west Bay City, they noticed a large object approaching from the south,
high up in the air. At first it looked like a flying cloud, but as the sky was overcast by a dull thick haze, it was soon
apparent that the floating body was not a cloud but it was a substantial thing of material existence. As it approached it
appeared to gradually lower itself and when it reached Center Street, it did not seem to be over 50 feet high.
There was a red light at either end. It seemed to be traveling at a rapid rate when first seen. But slowed up gradually
as it neared Bay City. From the descriptions given, the airship was from 50 to 75 feet long, perhaps one-third as wide.
It shone with a dull red glow, as if there were lights on the upper side. In shape it was conical and no mode of
propulsion was visible to the terrestrial observers.
As the ship passed on to Essexville it seemed to suddenly sink toward the ground and from all appearances it descended to
earth not very far north of Bay City. It was too late in the morning to send messengers in that direction to find out
whether the airship landed or not. The airship seen in Bay City passed over Saginaw shortly after midnight this morning,
and the description as given by those who saw it is substantially the same as that received from Bay City.
It had the appearance of a cloud when first seen here and was not very bright. While passing Saginaw it kept a course due
north, though it seemed to approach this city from a southwesterly direction and then change its course as it neared
Saginaw. The sources from which the information comes are entirely authentic and there can be no doubt that the
mysterious object, whatever it is, passed over the city. It was going at a terrific rate of speed and soon disappeared
from sight to the north. According to late reports from different parts of the country, the strange messenger is a
real airship, operated by some of its inventors, who are simply making a trial trip and who have already made applications
for patents. The principle on which it is constructed is that of the parallel plane and it is operated by steam.

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Detroit, Michigan

The Evening News

April 16, 1897

Charlotte, Michigan

April 16--- The mysterious airship was seen by many
people last night. Charlotte is a dry town.

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Battle Creek, Michigan

The Daily Journal

April 17, 1897

Brevities—So much interest has been manifested in the airship
and the portion of it that is alleged to have fallen northeast of the city that it has been placed on exhibition at
Attorney Frank Kulp’s office.

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Saginaw, Michigan

The Courier-Herald

April 17, 1897

Reynolds, Michigan

April 16 — About 4:30 Wednesday morning at a point a
half a mile south of this point and about three miles northwest of Howard City, a balloon or flying machine alighted.
The airship was seen about an hour before it alighted by a dozen farmers or more, who had been watching it. On its attempt
to alight they gathered around, but a good many of them did not remain long after the landing of the ship.
A strange man, if man he might be called, was in charge of the ship. While he seemed to have plenty of heavy clothes which
look like the pelts of polar bears, he seemed to have no use for them, as he was almost naked and seemed to be suffering
from the heat. He is about 91/2 feet tall, and his talk, while musical, is not talk at all, but seems to be a repetition
of bellowing. One of the farmers who was somewhat braver, attempted to go near him, and got a kick that will last him for
some time, having got his hip broken. Great excitement prevails here, and lots of people are flocking here from Morley
and Howard City to view the strange being at a distance, as no one dares to go near. He seems to be trying to talk to the
people. The people here are incredulous, and those who have not seen refuse to believe the report, although six of the
best people in that locality are here and affirm that it is the truth. >From their excited manners we are led to believe
that no hoax exists. His balloon seems to be out of repair. At 8:10 last evening the airship passed south and a little
west of Howard City. Hundreds of people watched its flight.

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Battle Creek, Michigan

April 16, 1897

The aerial phenomenon, construed by
some to be an airship, was seen by many persons here Wednesday night. It was traveling west at a rapid rate and was
visible but a short time. (Wednesday was April 14, 1897)
above

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SOURCE: RAY VARNER

IS THIS WHAT THE AIRSHIP LOOKED LIKE?

SACRAMENTO BEE ARTICLE

The first sightings of this airship took place in Sacramento, California in 1896: